Additive dispenser

ABSTRACT

A liquid dosing apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a container into a liquid stream of a shower, toilet, or tap includes an adapter, a dosing mechanism, a damping control system, and a dispensing outlet. The adapter is arranged to detachable receive the container. The dosing mechanism includes a dosing chamber and a movable member. The dosing mechanism is arranged to draw a set volume of the liquid into the dosing chamber on activation by moving the moveable member in a first direction. The damping control system is arranged to control a dispensing rate of the set volume of the liquid by controlling return speed of the moveable member. The damping control system is arranged to allow and control adjustment of the dispensing rate. The dispensing outlet is arranged to dispense the liquid into the water stream at the controlled dispensing rate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/550,573, filed Dec. 14, 2021, which is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/713,658, filed Dec. 13, 2019, whichis a Continuation of international Application No. PCT/GB2018/051782,filed Jun. 26, 2018, which claims priority to and the benefit of UnitedKingdom Patent Application No. 1710233.6, filed Jun. 27, 2017. Thedisclosures of each of the foregoing applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

This application relates to a dosing apparatus for dispensing a setvolume of a non-gaseous fluid at a set rate. The concepts disclosedherein may have particular application for sanitary applications, suchas adding an essential oil, soap, shower gel or the likes to a waterstream in a shower, tap or toilet, to absorbent scent pads, hand towels,or the likes, but it need not be limited to these uses. The applicationalso relates to an adapter arranged to be removably attachable to boththe dosing apparatus, of which it may form a part, and a standardessential oil bottle, and to fluidly connect the essential oil bottle tothe dosing apparatus.

In the prior art, it is known to add bath oils, aromatherapy oils,and/or other additives to water streams, for example in showers, bidets,toilets, baths and basins. The rate at which the additive is dispensedis influenced by the flow rate of the water stream, however, which canlead to unexpected effects for a user (e.g. a pressure surge early in ashower resulting in their being no fragrance left when desired).

More precise control of the volume of additive dispensed is alsodesirable, so as to extend the useful life of a container of additive,and/or to achieve more consistent results.

In addition, it can be difficult to switch between additives during orbetween uses.

The concepts disclosed herein seek to address one or more of theseissues.

The skilled person will appreciate that these issues do not relatesolely to sanitary applications; for example being applicable todispensing syrup for mixing drinks, or adding vitamins and minerals todrinks or the likes. Similarly, the apparatus disclosed herein could beused to dispense cleaning fluid to clean a toilet, sink or the likesrather than to clean or fragrance a user. Further, the additive may notbe dispensed into a water stream, but rather, for example, onto a pad ofabsorbent material in a bathroom heater or hand dryer to enhance scentdispersion.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment relates to a liquid dosing apparatus fordispensing a liquid from a container into a liquid stream of a shower,toilet, or tap. The apparatus includes an adapter, a dosing mechanism, adamping control system, and a dispensing outlet. The adapter is arrangedto detachable receive the container. The dosing mechanism includes adosing chamber and a movable member. The dosing mechanism is arranged todraw a set volume of the liquid into the dosing chamber on activation bymoving the moveable member in a first direction. The damping controlsystem is arranged to control a dispensing rate of the set volume of theliquid by controlling return speed of the moveable member. The dampingcontrol system is arranged to allow and control adjustment of thedispensing rate. The dispensing outlet is arranged to dispense theliquid into the water stream at the controlled dispensing rate.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to an adapter for an aromatherapyoil bottle. The adapter is releasably attachable to a dosing apparatus.The adapter includes a thread, an outlet, and a one-way valve. Thethread is arranged to engagingly receive the neck of the bottle, so asto form a seal therewith. The outlet is arranged to allow a liquidwithin the bottle to pass therethrough. The one-way valve is arranged toallow air into the bottle. The one-way valve is arranged such that aircan enter the bottle only when the liquid is drawn out of the bottle viathe outlet. The outlet is arranged such that the liquid cannot passthrough the outlet unless suction is applied to the liquid.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a liquid dosing apparatus fordispensing a liquid from a container into a liquid stream of a shower,toilet, or tap. The apparatus includes an adapter arranged to detachablyreceive the container; a dosing mechanism comprising a dosing chamberand a moveable member, and arranged to draw a set volume of the liquidinto the dosing chamber on activation, activation comprising moving themoveable member in a first direction; a damping control system arrangedto control a dispensing rate of the set volume of the liquid bycontrolling return speed of the moveable member; and a dispensing outletarranged to dispense the liquid into the water stream at the controlleddispensing rate.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a dosing apparatus fordispensing a liquid through a dispensing outlet. The dosing apparatusincludes an adapter arranged to engagingly receive a container of liquidand comprising a first one-way valve arranged to allow liquid flow outof the container and prevent liquid flow into the container. The dosingapparatus also includes a dosing mechanism comprising a dosing chamberand a moveable member, and arranged to draw a set volume of the liquidinto the dosing chamber on activation, activation comprising moving themoveable member in a first direction. The dosing apparatus furtherincludes a damping control system arranged to control dispensing rate ofthe set volume of the liquid. The damping control system includes ahydraulic piston within a charging chamber containing hydraulic fluid,wherein the hydraulic piston is arranged to be driven so as to move aquantity of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic charging chamber andthrough a second one-way valve and to a sprung damping chamber when thedosing mechanism is activated. The damping controls system also includesa return channel across the second one-way valve, wherein the returnchannel is arranged to limit the rate at which the hydraulic fluid canpass therethrough. The sprung damping chamber is arranged to absorb thevolume of the displaced hydraulic fluid while creating a spring force tocomplete a return cycle of the dosing mechanism, the spring forcedriving the hydraulic fluid in the return direction via the flow valve.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to an adapter for an aromatherapyoil bottle, the adapter being releasably attachable to a dosingapparatus. The adapter includes a thread arranged to engagingly receivethe neck of the bottle, so as to form a seal therewith. The adapter alsoincludes an outlet arranged to allow a liquid within the bottle to passtherethrough and a one-way valve arranged to allow air into the bottle.The one-way valve is arranged such that air can enter the bottle onlywhen the liquid is drawn out of the bottle via the outlet. The outlet isarranged such that the liquid cannot pass through the outlet unless aforce is applied to the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described in more detail by way of example onlywith reference to the accompanying drawings in which like referencenumerals are used for like features:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a dosing apparatus of an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the dosing apparatus of FIG. 1 within ahousing, with the front of the housing removed;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the dosing apparatus and housing ofFIG. 4 , with the front of the housing in place and a spare containerand adapter placed on the top of the housing;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic underneath view of the container and adaptershown in the earlier Figures;

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and 7 c show schematic side views of the container andadapter shown in the earlier Figures; and

FIGS. 8 a, 8 b and 8 c show equivalent side views to FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and7 c respectively, with internal detail shown in dotted lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For convenience, the concepts are described herein in the context ofadding an essential oil (also known as an aromatherapy oil) to a liquidstream (e.g. water).

According to a first aspect, there is provided a liquid dosing apparatusfor dispensing a liquid from a container into a liquid stream of ashower, toilet or tap. The apparatus comprises:

-   -   a dosing mechanism comprising a dosing chamber and a moveable        member, and arranged to draw a set volume of the liquid into the        dosing chamber on activation, activation comprising moving the        moveable member in a first direction;    -   a damping control system arranged to control a dispensing rate        of the set volume of the liquid by controlling return speed of        the moveable member; and    -   a dispensing outlet arranged to dispense the liquid into the        water stream at the controlled dispensing rate.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a dosing apparatus fordispensing a liquid through a dispensing outlet comprising:

-   -   an adapter arranged to engagingly receive a container of liquid        and comprising a first one-way valve arranged to allow liquid        flow out of the container and prevent liquid flow into the        container;    -   a dosing mechanism comprising a dosing chamber and a moveable        member, and arranged to draw a set volume of the liquid into the        dosing chamber on activation, activation comprising moving the        moveable member in a first direction; and    -   a damping control system arranged to control dispensing rate of        the set volume of the liquid, the damping control system        comprising:    -   a hydraulic piston within a charging chamber containing        hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic piston is arranged to be        driven so as to move a quantity of hydraulic fluid from the        hydraulic charging chamber and through a second one-way valve        and to a sprung damping chamber when the dosing mechanism is        activated; and    -   a return channel across the second one-way valve, wherein the        return channel is arranged to limit the rate at which the        hydraulic fluid can pass therethrough;    -   wherein the sprung damping chamber is arranged to absorb the        volume of the displaced hydraulic fluid while creating a spring        force to complete a return cycle of the dosing mechanism, the        spring force driving the hydraulic fluid in the return direction        via the flow valve.

The skilled person will appreciate that the apparatus of the secondaspect may be arranged to function as the apparatus of the first aspect.The dispensing outlet may be connected to a water stream, optionally ashower, toilet or tap water stream. One such embodiment provides adosing apparatus for dispensing a liquid through a dispensing outlet,and optionally into a liquid stream of a shower, toilet or tap, theapparatus comprising:

-   -   an adapter arranged to engagingly receive a container of liquid        and comprising a first    -   one-way valve arranged to allow liquid flow out of the container        and prevent liquid flow into the container;    -   a dosing pump comprising a dosing piston with a barrel and        arranged to draw a set volume of the liquid through the adapter        and into the barrel when activated; and    -   a damping control system arranged to control dispensing rate of        the set volume of the liquid, the damping control system        comprising:    -   a hydraulic piston within a charging chamber containing        hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic piston is arranged to be        driven so as to move a quantity of hydraulic fluid from the        hydraulic charging chamber and through a second one-way valve        and to a sprung damping chamber when the dosing pump is        activated; and    -   a return channel across the second one-way valve, wherein the        return channel is arranged to limit the rate at which the        hydraulic fluid can pass therethrough;    -   wherein the sprung damping chamber is arranged to absorb the        volume of the displaced hydraulic fluid while creating a spring        force to complete a return cycle of the dosing pump, the spring        force driving the hydraulic fluid in the return direction via        the flow valve.

In the apparatus of either aspect, the damping control system may bearranged to allow and control adjustment of the dispensing rate.

Advantageously, a user can therefore adjust the rate at which/theduration of time over which the liquid is dispensed

In such embodiments, the damping control system may be arranged suchthat the dispensing rate can be varied between no restriction of thereturn channel, and hence near-instant dispensing of the set volume onactivation, and sufficient restriction to spread dispensing over a settime period.

In the apparatus of either aspect, when the damping control system hasthe components specified for the second aspect, the damping controlsystem may comprise a flow valve arranged to provide at least a part ofthe return channel across the second one-way valve, and the flow valvemay be arranged to adjustably limit the rate at which the hydraulicfluid can pass therethrough.

In embodiments with such an adjustable return channel, the apparatus maycomprise a damping control mechanism arranged to allow adjustment of theflow valve. Optionally, in these embodiments, the damping controlmechanism comprises a control dial or slider arranged to indicatedispensing time for a given setting.

The container may be a standard aromatherapy oil bottle.

The container may have an opening through which the liquid is arrangedto pass, and, in use, the container may be positioned such that theopening is the lowest part of the container. Gravity may thereforeassist draining of the container's contents.

In embodiments with an adapter, the adapter may be part of a cartridgearranged to engagingly receive the container. The cartridge may arrangedto be removably attached to both the container and the dosing mechanism.

In such embodiments, the adapter may be arranged to serve as a lid forthe container, potentially retaining any remaining liquid within thecontainer when the cartridge is removed from the rest of the dosingapparatus. Additionally or alternatively, the cartridge is arranged tobe a press-fit with a housing of the dosing mechanism for ease ofattachment and removal.

The adapter may comprise an air-replenishment valve to allow air intothe container in place of the liquid extracted.

The set volume may be arranged to be adjusted by a user.

In embodiments with an adapter, the adapter may be located above thedosing mechanism such that the liquid travels downwards from thecontainer into the dosing chamber when activated.

The dosing mechanism may be arranged to be activated using a doseactivator. The dose activator may comprise a dose button, such as a pushbutton or a pull or twist or lever-style button.

The dose activator may comprise a slider which is arranged to be moveddownwards to move the moveable member downwards, and which is pulledback up by the dosing apparatus as the moveable member is raised duringthe return cycle. The dose activator or dose button may travelvertically or horizontally or at any angle therebetween. The line ofmovement of the dose activator may be chosen to provide ergonomic use,amongst other things. Slider position may be arranged to indicate howmuch of the set volume has been dispensed.

The dose activator may operate the slider directly without anyintervening mechanism. Or, the dose activator may operate the sliderindirectly, e.g. via one or more gears or levers, perhaps a series ofgears or levers.

The liquid may be an aromatherapy oil, liquid soap, fragrance, or showergel.

In embodiments with a sprung damping chamber, the spring force of thesprung damping chamber may be provided by a biasing member comprising atleast one of:

-   -   a spring; compressible foam; memory metal; an air bubble; and an        elastic compressible material such as rubber.

The dispensing outlet may be adjacent to the exit point for liquid fromthe dispensing chamber.

The dosing mechanism may be a dosing pump comprising a dosing pistonwith a barrel, the barrel forming the dosing chamber and the pistonforming the moveable member. The dosing piston may be arranged to draw aset volume of the liquid into the barrel on activation, activationcomprising moving the dosing piston in a first direction. The dampingcontrol system may be arranged to control a dispensing rate of the setvolume of the liquid by controlling return speed of the dosing piston.

In such embodiments, the first direction may be downwards, such that thedosing piston is drawn downwards to draw the liquid into the dosingchamber, and is moved upwards by the return of the hydraulic fluid.

According to a third aspect there is provided a shower control box ortap comprising a dosing apparatus according to the first or secondaspect.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided an adapter for anaromatherapy oil bottle, the adapter being releasably attachable to adosing apparatus. The apparatus comprises:

-   -   a thread arranged to engagingly receive the neck of the bottle,        so as to form a seal therewith;    -   an outlet arranged to allow a liquid within the bottle to pass        therethrough; and a one-way valve arranged to allow air into the        bottle,    -   wherein the one-way valve is arranged such that air can enter        the bottle only when the liquid is drawn out of the bottle via        the outlet, and wherein the outlet is arranged such that the        liquid cannot pass through the outlet unless a force is applied        to the liquid.

The dosing apparatus may be as described with respect to the firstand/or second aspect.

The outlet may comprise an elongate projection with a passagewaytherethrough, the elongate projection being oriented away from thebottle.

The adapter may be arranged to be a push-fit with the dosing apparatus.

The outlet and one-way valve may be arranged such that liquid is onlydrawn through the outlet when a pressure differential between air nearthe inlet of the one-way valve and the outlet exceeds a threshold.

The skilled person will appreciate that features discussed in relationto any one aspect may be provided with any other aspect.

Turning now to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 shows a dosingapparatus 100 with an aromatherapy oil bottle 200 mounted thereon. Theliquid is therefore aromatherapy oil in the embodiment being described,although the skilled person will appreciate that any liquid or mixtureof liquids, including creams and gels, may take the place of thearomatherapy oil in other embodiments.

The skilled person will appreciate that, in other embodiments, otherbottles 200 or containers may be mounted, or a reservoir may be providedwithin the dosing apparatus 100 and an additive liquid may be pouredinto the reservoir, instead of mounting a separable container of theadditive.

The bottle 200 is mounted with its opening downwards so that gravity canassist draining of the bottle 200. Wastage may therefore be minimal, asthe liquid drains from the bottle 200 by gravity by way of the bottle200 being turned upside down with respect to its normal position. Inalternative embodiments, a bottle spring loaded (or otherwise urgedusing different mechanism) to provide a force on the liquid withintowards the opening of the bottle could be used to allow the bottle tobe loaded in the standard (upright, i.e. opening directed upwards)position whilst potentially reducing wastage as compared to suction pipearrangements for upright bottles.

An adapter 102 is provided, the adapter 102 being arranged to receive aneck of the bottle 200. The adapter 102 has a thread sized to match thethread on the neck of the bottle 200. The adapter thread allows thebottle 200 to be securely fitted to the adapter 102 and seals it inplace.

In the embodiment being described, the bottle 200 is a standardaromatherapy oil/essential oil bottle—the present standard is standardDIN168 glass bottle vials and the adapter 102 of the present applicationis sized and shaped for use with these bottles 200. The skilled personwill appreciate that, in alternative embodiments, adapter shape anddimensions may be adjusted to accommodate other bottle shapes and sizes.

The bottle 200 is attached to the adapter 102 by rotating the thread ofthe bottle 200 into the adapter 102 until it meets a sealing face withinthe adapter 102. The adapter 102 then seals the inside of the bottle 200from the outside air to prevent damage to its contents—which may beoils, scents, creams, medicated preparations, health or flavoringadditives for drinking water, additives into tap water to aid shaving orwellness activities (e.g. steaming with menthol) etc.

In use, the neck of the bottle 200 is screwed into the adapter 102. Inalternative embodiments, the bottle 200 or other container may be apush-fit with the adapter 102, clipped, screwed or glued to the adapter102, or connected in any other way. In other embodiments, the adapter102 may be integral with the container 200, the adapter 102 andcontainer 200 together forming a detachable and replaceable cartridge 10for use with the dosing apparatus 100.

The cartridge 10—either as a single unit or as a combination of adetachable adapter 102 and bottle 200—provides a simple and convenientway of swapping additive liquids. A user may want multiple differentadditives at different stages of a shower, for example. The cartridge 10may be easily removed and replaced, without removing the adapter 102from the bottle 200. The adapter 102 serves as a lid for the bottle 200when the bottle 200 is not connected to the dosing apparatus 100.

The adapter 102 comprises an outlet 103. The outlet 103 is where theadditive in the bottle 200 is dispensed from. In the embodiment beingdescribed, the outlet 103 extends downwardly from and parallel to thelength of the bottle. Gravity therefore assists in extracting as much ofthe liquid as reasonably possible from the bottle 200.

In the embodiment being described, the outlet 103 is also used to mount,orientate and seal the adapter 102 into the dosing apparatus 100. Theoutlet 103 comprises a hollow elongate projection, in this case a tube,arranged to fit within the apparatus 100 in the embodiment beingdescribed (in this case, within a pipe 130 of the apparatus), so as tofacilitate the outlet's mounting and orientation functions.

In the embodiment being described, the outlet 103 comprises a passagewith a one-way valve. The one-way valve is arranged to allow liquidwithin the bottle 200 to leave the bottle, and to prevent the return ofliquid into the bottle. In alternative embodiments, the outlet 103 maynot have a one-way valve, and may instead be an unimpeded passage. Insuch cases, the passage is narrow (such that the liquid does not spill)and pressures are arranged such that the liquid will not pass throughthe outlet 103 unless drawn through, as described below.

In the embodiment being described, the adapter 102 comprises an airreplenishment valve 105. The air replenishment valve 105 allows in airto replace the volume of liquid removed from the bottle 200, sopreventing vacuum effects from retaining liquid within the bottle 200.The air replenishment valve 105 does not allow the passage of liquidtherethrough. The air replenishment valve 105 is a one-way valve suchthat air cannot leave the bottle 200 via the air replenishment valve105.

In the embodiment being described, a channel leads from the airreplenishment valve 105 to the upper surface of the adapter 102, soproviding a route for air to pass into the bottle 200, separate from theoutlet 103.

Conveniently, having the outlet 103 and the air-replenishment valve 105located in an adapter 102 that is a screw-fit with the bottle 200 allowsstandard bottles 200 to be used without modification.

The air replenishment valve 105 is used in the adapter 102 to maintain aseal on the bottle 200 once it is fitted to the adapter 102. This valve105 prevents the bottle's contents escaping, and also allows air intothe bottle when the liquid is drawn down into the rest of the apparatus100 for use, so as to prevent a hydraulic or vacuum lock.

In alternative or additional embodiments, a small hole in an uppersurface (in the orientation shown, i.e. the far end of the bottle fromits opening) of the bottle 200 may be used instead of, or as well as, anair replenishment valve 105, and/or the air replenishment valve may belocated differently with respect to the adapter 102 and bottle 200. Inembodiments in which a hole is provided instead of an air replenishmentvalve 105, a one-way valve is provided in the outlet 103.

In other embodiments, there may be no air replenishment valve, nor ahole. In such embodiments, the container 200 may or may not becompressible to reduce vacuum effects.

In the embodiment being described, the adapter 102 is connected to ahousing 400 of the dosing apparatus. The adapter 102 is a push-fit withthe housing 400 in this embodiment, and can be attached and detached inthis way. In the embodiment being described, formations 601 on one ormore surfaces of the adapter 102 are provided to releasably interlockwith corresponding formations on the housing 400. In alternative oradditional embodiments, other connection means may be used, or theadapter 102 may be integral with the housing 400.

In embodiments wherein the adapter 102 is detachable from the housing400, the adapter 102 allows a user to rapidly change from one bottle 200to another without switching the apparatus 100 off or unscrewing thebottle 200. The entire cartridge (i.e. adapter 102 and bottle 200) isexchanged with another. Once the bottle 200 fitted to the adapter 102 isexhausted, the bottle 200 can be removed from the adapter 102 andreplaced or recharged.

The dosing apparatus 100 comprises a dosing pump 104. In the embodimentbeing described, the dosing pump 104 is located below the one-way valve103 to facilitate drawing the liquid out of the bottle 200 and into thedosing pump 104.

The dosing pump 104 has a dosing pump housing 104 which includes adocking member 132 arranged to receive the adapter 102. In theembodiment being described, the adapter 102 is pushed into the top ofthe dosing pump housing 104, engaging with the docking member 132 andsealing the adapter 102 in place.

In embodiments with an in-built reservoir for the additive liquidinstead of an adapter 102 for a separable container 200, the reservoirwould take the place of the docking member 132.

The dosing pump 104 has a barrel 109 and a dosing piston (notshown—covered by the dosing pump housing 104). A nozzle 107 extendingfrom the barrel 109 provides a route for liquid to enter and leave thebarrel 109.

The barrel 109 forms a dosing chamber—a set volume (dose) of liquid isdrawn out of the bottle 200 and into the barrel 109 when the apparatus100 is activated.

The dosing pump 104 has a dose button 150 which can be used to activatethe apparatus 100, i.e. which is a dose activator. The dose button 150is—directly or indirectly, electrically and/or mechanically—connected tothe dosing piston. A slider or other control means, including anelectronic interface such as a graphical user interface, may be providedin additional or alternative embodiments.

When the dose button 150 is driven (manually or electro/mechanicallydriven), the connected dosing pump piston is moved away from the adapter102, drawing a vacuum on the contents of the bottle 200. Thesuction/vacuum created is sufficient to open the air replenishment valve105 in the adapter 102, allowing air to enter and the liquid in thebottle to fill the space in the dosing pump barrel 109. The suctionapplied therefore allows liquid to be drawn out of the bottle 200, withair passing into the bottle 200 via the air replenishment valve 105 totake its place. This can be thought of as a pressure differentialbetween air near the inlet of the one-way valve and the outlet needingto exceed a threshold (with the pressure at the outlet being lower) forthe liquid to pass through the outlet 103.

In various embodiments, the dose button 150 may be a push button, lever,rotatable knob, pull cord or other interface, including an electronicuser interface, or any other suitable activation means. The skilledperson will appreciate that, although the term “button” is used forclarity with reference to the drawings, any suitable interface known inthe art may be used. The does button 150 may travel vertically orhorizontally or at an angle with travel of movement appropriate for goodergonomic use, and that movement may be used to move the moveable member(in this case the dosing piston). In embodiments with an electronicinterface, the movement (if any—there would be no movement for agraphical user interface “button”) or activation of the button 150causes an electrical signal which causes the moveable member to move,instead of moving it directly.

In the embodiment being described, the space is a set volume such thatthe same dose of liquid is taken in with each activation. In alternativeor additional embodiments, the dose button 150 may be substituted with adifferent control means allowing adjustment of the set volume—the dosingpump piston can be drawn down by a differing amount so as to vary theamount of liquid taken from the bottle 200.

The liquid from the bottle 200 remains in the dosing pump barrel 109until the pump piston is driven (upwards) delivering the liquid througha dispensing outlet 170.

In the embodiment being described, the outlet 170 is connected to awater stream for dispersion in a shower, bath or faucet outlet. In theembodiment being described, a pipe 130 provides a T-junction—the waterstream enters through one opening 172 and leaves through a secondopening 170, carrying with it the additive. The third branch of theT-junction is in fluid communication with, and adjacent to, the nozzle107 and the bottle outlet 103.

In alternative embodiments, the outlet 170 may be arranged such that theliquid is dispensed onto an absorbent material, into a vessel, through adirect dispensing tube or onto a heat source, or the likes.

In normal use, the liquid cannot be pushed back into the bottle 200 asthe one-way valve and outlet system 103, 105 in the adapter 102restricts any flow back into the bottle. The liquid from the barrel 109flows through to the water stream as it is the path of least hydraulicresistance.

In the embodiment being described, a pipe 130 connects the adapter 102to the nozzle 107 of the barrel 109. The pipe also connects the nozzle107 to the outlet 170, which is a water stream in the embodiment shown.

In the embodiment being described, the nozzle 107 is located close toboth the outlet 103 of the adapter 102 and the dispensing outlet 170;the length of the pipe 130 is therefore relatively short.Advantageously, this may help to minimize or avoid purging requirementsto flush unused liquid out of the dosing apparatus 100.

The rate at which the pump piston is driven back to its initial,pre-activation, position (i.e. upwards in the embodiment shown) iscontrolled by the damping control system 300.

As the dose button 150 is activated, driving the pump piston(downwards), a connected hydraulic piston is similarly driven within ahydraulic charging chamber 108. The hydraulic piston, when driven, movesa quantity of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic charging chamber 108into a passageway 114. The passageway is provided by a series of oilwaysand/or pipes/tubes 114 in the embodiment being described.

A hydraulic filling port 180 is provided to allow the hydraulic fluid tobe drained, replaced or topped up, as appropriate.

The damping control system 300 uses and controls the movement of thehydraulic fluid so as to control the return rate of the pump piston, andhence the dosing rate.

The damping control system 300 comprises four functional elements—adamping one—way valve 110, a sprung damping cylinder 106, a flow valve112 and damping control setting 162.

The one-way valve 110 allows the hydraulic fluid driven from thehydraulic charging chamber 108 to travel through the passageway 114 tothe sprung damping cylinder 106.

The sprung damping cylinder 106 takes in the volume of displacedhydraulic fluid while creating a spring force to complete the returncycle of the dosing pump 104.

The sprung damping cylinder 106 comprises a biasing member, in this casea spring (foam, another compressible elastic material, memory metal oran air bubble, etc. may be used in alternative or additionalembodiments). The biasing member moves proportionally with the volume ofhydraulic fluid displaced into the sprung damping cylinder 106. As thehydraulic fluid moves the spring, a force in the spring is created whichis sufficient to return the hydraulic piston, and thereby the dosingpiston, to its initial position, and therefore dispense the liquid viathe dispensing outlet 170.

The spring force acts upon the hydraulic fluid, driving it in the returndirection. The hydraulic fluid is unable to return through the dampingone-way valve 110 and is directed to a return channel including the flowvalve 112 to limit the rate at which it can pass.

The setting of the flow valve 112 can be adjusted to restrict or widenthe return channel, so reducing or increasing the rate at whichhydraulic fluid can pass therethrough, respectively. The fluid passingthrough the return channel enters the hydraulic charging chamber 108 andso moves the hydraulic piston back to its initial position at a ratecorresponding to the flow rate through the flow valve 112.

In the embodiment being described, the flow valve 112 can be configuredfrom a level of no restriction, and so near-immediate dispensing of thefull dose, to a restriction slowing the dosing rate to extend over aduration desired for the application.

In the case of aromatherapy oils, for example, only a small amount ofoil is needed for the desired effect, but the dispensing of this smallamount is ideally performed over a relatively long time period (e.g. theseveral minutes taken to have a shower) rather than immediately.

The skilled person will appreciate that aromatherapy dosing will dependon the quality of the oil used and the user preference as to thestrength of the scent. This user-set duration may range from 1 second to30 seconds, to 1, 2, 4, 10, or 15 minutes, for example.

The skilled person will appreciate that the desired duration, and alsothe available settings, may vary between different embodiments anduses—for example, a dispensing time of approximately 3 minutes may beselected for aromatherapy oil release during a shower. The skilledperson will appreciate that the control may offer two or more discreteflow rate options or a continuous range.

Desired duration is also likely to change depending on the chemistry ofthe liquid to be dispensed. For example, bleach in a toilet should bedispensed for a certain duration and in the correct volume to be at thecorrect concentration to be effective. The dosing duration in thisapplication may be pre-set based on the relationship between thequantity of water used during a flushing activation and the appropriatechemical concentration required to be effective in itsdisinfection/cleaning task. An equivalent approach may apply to otheralternative chemical dosing applications.

The damping control setting 160, 162 allows the delivery time of thedosing apparatus to be configured.

In the embodiments being described, the dispensing rate is controlled bythe piston movement, not by the flow rate of the water of the waterstream into which the liquid is to be dispensed. The same quantity ofliquid is dispensed over the controlled time period, although theadditive liquid to water ratio would change depending on flow rate ofthe water.

The damping control setting 160, 162 comprises a control dial 160directly or indirectly connected to the flow valve 112. In theembodiment being described, movement of the control dial 160 causesmovement of a toothed wheel 162 which interlocks with a cog of the flowvalve 112 so as to tighten or loosen the valve 112. The skilled personwill appreciate that many alternative or additional control means may beused, including use of a graphical user interface and electronicallycontrolled flow valve 112.

In the embodiment being described, the control dial 160 is arranged toprotrude through a housing 400 of the apparatus 100. The damping controlsystem 300 is calibrated and the housing 400 is marked or labelled toindicate a dosing duration corresponding to each dial position.

In the embodiment being described, the flow valve 112 is an adjustableneedle valve.

A user of the apparatus 100 can adjust the damping control setting to apreferred or appropriate setting (e.g. corresponding to a duration oftime) before the dose button 150 is driven.

In alternative embodiments, no flow valve 112 and damping controlsetting 160, 162 may be provided. Instead, the return channel maycomprise a narrow channel of a fixed size (e.g. simply a hole, or anon-adjustable needle valve) so as to limit return flow of the hydraulicfluid. The rate of return of the piston is therefore constant. In suchcases, the duration of the dosing is fixed for a given volume ofhydraulic fluid displaced, and therefore for a given volume of liquiddispensed. A constant dosing rate (as compared to a constant duration)may therefore be provided for various different volumes of liquid, inembodiments in which the set volume can be adjusted.

In the embodiment being described, once the dose button 150 is driven,the damping control setting selected corresponds to the duration of timeover which the dosing pump 104 will deliver the dose into the waterstream.

In the embodiment being described, the dosing apparatus 100 is providedas a stand-alone box to be fitted to a standard shower or tap outlet.For a shower, the box would be fitted between a shower control box and ashower head. In alternative embodiments, the dosing apparatus 100 may beintegrated into a shower control box. In either case, it may be usedwith hand-held showers and with wall- or ceiling-mounted showers (e.g.overhead showers).

The skilled person will appreciate that dose volume and time of deliveryof each dose can be scaled for different applications.

The duration of delivery of each dose is also scalable frominstantaneous delivery to delivery over long periods of time.

The system is designed to dose liquids, including gels and creams inthis definition. Different viscosity materials may require differentengineering details, e.g. different widths of the return channel,increased air pressure or a piston to remove bottle contents, etc., butcan use the same principles.

Advantageously, very little purging of the apparatus 100 may berequired, as the dosing pump 104 can be located at a minimal distancefrom the dispensing outlet 170 (in the embodiment shown, the waterstream). Any liquid is therefore delivered directly out of thedispensing outlet 170, in this case into the water stream.

In the embodiment being described, once the essential oil (or otherliquid) is dosed, the nature of the water stream flushes the areareducing the need to purge between different essential oils (or otherliquids).

In alternative or additional embodiments, the dosing piston may bereplaced by a different moveable member, and the dosing piston barrelmay be replaced with a different dosing chamber. For example, the dosingchamber may be expansible (e.g. a balloon or the likes) and the moveablemember may be a member that forces expansion of the dosing chamber whenactivated, so reducing pressure within the chamber and drawing theadditive out of the container 200.

The skilled person will appreciate that, with the disclosure of theunderlying damping control mechanism and the examples given herein, theskilled person could make various alternative dosing mechanisms usinghis or her general knowledge.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter for an aromatherapy oil bottle, theadapter being releasably attachable to a dosing apparatus andcomprising: a thread arranged to engagingly receive the neck of thebottle, so as to form a seal therewith; an outlet arranged to allow aliquid within the bottle to pass therethrough; and a one-way valvearranged to allow air to the bottle; wherein the one-way valve isarranged such that air can enter the bottle only when the liquid isdrawn out of the bottle via the outlet, and wherein the outlet isarranged such that the liquid cannot pass through the outlet unlesssuction is applied to the liquid.
 2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein theoutlet comprises an elongate projection with a passageway therethrough,the elongate projection being oriented away from the bottle.
 3. Theadapter of claim 1, wherein the adapter is arranged to be a push-fitwith the dosing apparatus.
 4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the outletand one-way valve are arranged such that liquid is only drawn throughthe outlet when a pressure differential between air near the inlet ofthe one-way valve and the outlet exceeds a threshold.
 5. A liquid dosingapparatus for dispensing a liquid from a container into a liquid streamof a shower, toilet, or tap, the apparatus comprising: a dosingmechanism comprising a dosing chamber and a moveable member, wherein themoveable member moves in a first direction when the dosing mechanism isactivated to draw a set volume of the liquid into the dosing chamber; adamping control system configured to control a dispensing rate of theset volume of the liquid; and a dispensing outlet arranged to dispensethe liquid into the water stream at the controlled dispensing rate. 6.The dosing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the container is anaromatherapy oil bottle.
 7. The dosing apparatus of claim 5, wherein thecontainer has an opening through which the liquid is arranged to pass,the container being positioned such that the opening is positioned andlocated at a lowest part of the container.
 8. The dosing apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the dosing mechanism is arranged to be activated usinga dose activator which comprises a slider which is arranged to be moveddownwards to move the moveable member downwards, and which is pulledback up by the dosing apparatus as the moveable member is raised duringthe return cycle; and wherein slider position is arranged to indicatehow much of the set volume has been dispensed.
 9. The dosing apparatusof claim 5, wherein the liquid is an aromatherapy oil, a liquid soap, afragrance, or a shower gel.
 10. The dosing apparatus of claim 5, whereinthe dosing mechanism is a dosing pump comprising a dosing piston with abarrel, the barrel forming the dosing chamber and the piston forming themoveable member, and arranged to draw a set volume of the liquid intothe barrel when the dosing piston is moved in a first direction; andwherein the damping control system is arranged to control a dispensingrate of the set volume of the liquid by controlling return speed of thedosing piston.
 11. The dosing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the dampingcontrol system comprises a flow valve configurable from a level of norestriction, to near-immediate dispensing of a full dose, and to arestriction slowing the dosing rate to extend over a user-set duration.12. The dosing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the user-set duration is aduration of up to 15 minutes.
 13. The dosing apparatus of claim 11,wherein the same set volume of the liquid is dispensed irrespective ofthe user-set duration.
 14. The dosing apparatus of claim 5, wherein thecontrol of the dispensing rate offers: (i) two or more discrete flowrate options; or (ii) a continuous range.